Gutter Debris Deflection Device

ABSTRACT

A gutter debris deflection device is installed in a gutter and efficiently directs debris away from the gutter while allowing rainwater to flow therein. The deflection device has a gutter strap leg, a roofing extension raceway, a ridge flare, a midway extension, a valley trough, and a grip edge. The gutter strap leg rests on a gutter strap and supports the deflection device. The ridge flare deflects debris upwards and outwards, while rainwater flows into a plurality of drain ports in the deflection device and is thereby directed into the gutter. The valley trough arrests any remaining rainwater and drains it into the gutter. The grip edge attaches to the lip of the gutter. The enhanced gutter debris deflection device efficiently separates debris from rain water and directs the former out and away from the gutter while simultaneously directing more of the latter down and into the gutter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of rain gutters for buildings; and more particularly, to a device for deflecting debris away from a rain gutter while allowing water to enter and be drained away.

BACKGROUND

The field of rain gutters has known a wide variety of structures and devices functioning to redirect and control the run-off of rain from the roofs of buildings. In recent times, the vast majority of rain gutters in the United States are elongated trough-like devices attached at the edge of a roof and extending along such edges around the perimeter of a roof, or at least along the bottom edge of any pitched roof surface. The ubiquity of such rain gutters has led to a general standardization of design and shape, if not not size. The most common cross-sectional shape is a squared-off “U” with an angled outer leg.

This “standard” gutter design does an excellent job of catching rain that runs off of the roof and directs said runoff into down-spouts for appropriate dispersal, storage, or use. However, since such gutters are placed at the bottom of sloped roof surfaces, they also do an excellent job of catching leaves, pine needles, sticks, and any other debris that falls onto the roof Such debris tends to build up inside the gutters, degrading the efficiency of the gutter in controlling rain runoff. Further, such debris build-up can ultimately form blockages and cause overflows, damage to the gutter, and/or damage to nearby roof, wall, and other building surfaces.

The above problems are rather ubiquitous and the need for some enhancement to the basic gutter design in order to avoid or minimize the buildup of debris is therefor easily recognized. Hence, many different add-on devices and modifications of gutters have been developed to address these issues, with limited long-term success. For example, a common “solution” is to put a layer of wire mesh inside the gutter, in the hope of keeping debris from falling into the bottom of the gutter, while still allowing rain and run-off to enter the gutter through the holes in the mesh. While this “solution” at first blush appears to address the problems, it is inefficient at best when deflecting large debris such as leaves out of the gutter and fails miserably when it comes to smaller debris such as pine needles. And, depending on the environment, once a sufficient amount of small debris is clogging the system, leaves and other large debris begins to gather as well.

An improvement on the basic mesh design is to increase the amount of deflecting surface area on the material that is placed in the gutter. This helps to guide leaves, pine needles and other debris over the gutter opening while allowing rain run off to fall down into the gutter through the remaining surface that comprises openings. However, for a given flat-surfaced sheet of material, the more surface area that is dedicated to deflecting debris, the less surface area that can be composed of openings through which rain run-off can fall. Thus, there is a compromise in current devices: increase debris deflection and reduce the capacity for directing large amounts of rain run-off into the gutter, or increase the capacity for run-off, but decrease the debris deflection capabilities.

What is needed is a gutter debris deflection device that can maximize the debris deflection capabilities while also maximizing the amount of rain run-off that can be directed into the gutter.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention comprises an enhanced gutter debris deflection device that can utilize a strong perforated steel screen material formed into several key components. Starting from the back of a rain gutter, a first component of the gutter debris deflection device is a gutter strap leg. A bottom portion of the gutter strap leg comprises the gutter strap foot which can rest on any gutter straps installed on a rain gutter.

The gutter strap leg extends upwards and preferably angles slightly forwards towards the front of the gutter, although in other embodiments, the leg can be vertical or even angled backwards away from the front of the gutter. Regardless, the gutter strap leg bends over near the top of the gutter and transitions into a second component that extends generally horizontally towards the front of the gutter. In some embodiments, the gutter strap leg comprises a plurality of drain ports that allow water to flow through the gutter strap leg and into the gutter itself. The drain ports are small enough that most debris can't fit into them and so said debris is directed further along the gutter debris deflection device. In other embodiments, the gutter strap leg does not have a plurality of drain ports.

This second component of the gutter debris deflection device accommodates any roofing material extension into/over the rain gutter and is therefore called the roofing extension raceway. Rain water flowing down the roof materials and carrying debris will transition onto the roofing extension raceway and, depending on the flow rate and debris load, will carry the debris rapidly across the roofing extension raceway. If the rain water is slow moving and of minimal volume, it likely will carry minimal debris and quickly drains through a plurality of drain ports in the roofing extension raceway and enters the gutter itself. In another embodiment, the roofing extension raceway contains no drain ports.

At the end of the roofing extension raceway is an abrupt transition upwards into a ridge flare. The ridge flare deflects rapidly moving debris upwards, causing it to shoot out and over the remainder of the gutter. The rain water that is carrying the debris flows into a plurality of drain ports in the ridge flare and is thereby directed downwards into the gutter for collection. The ridge flare thus functions to separate the rain water from the debris and then directs both to their appropriate destinations. The ridge flare has an uphill portion beginning at the end of the roofing extension raceway that extends upwards to an upper limit of the ridge flare, where it transitions into a downhill portion that extends downwards. At a terminus of the downhill portion, a midway extension extends generally horizontally outwards towards the edge of the gutter.

The midway extension can be narrow or wide to accommodate gutters of various widths. In one embodiment, the midway extension has a plurality of drain ports, in other embodiments, the midway extension has no drain ports.

At the end of the midway extension is an abrupt transition downwards into a valley trough. The valley trough arrests any remaining fast moving water that might hydroplane over any drain ports in the generally horizontal midway extension, and once so arrested, the water drains through a plurality of drain ports in the valley trough itself and is thereby directed downwards into the gutter for collection. The valley trough has a downhill portion beginning at the end of the midway extension that extends downwards to a lower limit of the valley trough, where it then transitions into an uphill portion that extends upwards. At a terminus of the uphill portion, a grip edge extends generally horizontally outwards towards the edge of the gutter.

The grip edge can be formed from a single layer of material, or it can be folded over so it comprises a double layer. This second embodiment has the additional benefit of providing enhanced rigidity, a clean edge, and a strengthened structure for attaching the grip edge to the lip of the gutter. Such attachment can be accomplished utilizing any attachment means; for example, screws.

The grip edge can be narrow or wide to accommodate gutters of various widths. However, the grip edge should terminate a bit back from the edge of the gutter itself to maintain the appearance of a clean edge from below. In one embodiment, the grip edge has a plurality of drain ports, in other embodiments, the grip edge has no drain ports.

Together, the components of an enhanced gutter debris deflection device provide a plethora of enhanced functionalities over the prior art. Most significantly, the gutter debris deflection device better separates debris from rain water and directs the former out and away from the gutter while simultaneously directing more of the latter down and into the gutter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gutter debris deflection device installed on a gutter;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gutter debris deflection device highlighting various components of the device and a gutter;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a gutter debris deflection device; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a gutter debris deflection device installed in a gutter and with a slate roof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. Furthermore, lists and/or examples are often provided and should be interpreted as exemplary only and in no way limiting embodiments to only those examples.

Exemplary embodiments are described below in the accompanying Figures. The following detailed description provides a comprehensive review of the drawing Figures in order to provide a thorough understanding of, and an enabling description for, these embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that in some cases, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gutter debris deflection device 100 installed on a gutter 10.

The gutter debris deflection device 100 can utilize a strong perforated steel sheet material. In other embodiments, other material(s) besides steel can be used. In one non-limiting example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy is used. In another embodiment, stainless steel or galvanized metal is employed. Regardless of the material(s) used, the gutter debris deflection device 100 comprises a generally rectangular, elongated sheet sized to approximately match the length of a rain gutter in which the gutter debris deflection device 100 is to be installed. In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the illustrated gutter 10 is exceedingly short, being only perhaps ten inches long and with a depth of only about five inches from back to front. Whereas, a more common gutter length may be fifty times that long; while the depth would stay the same, at about five or six inches from back to front.

In the illustration shown in FIG. 1, the gutter debris deflection device 100 is shown in relation to two environmental items: a gutter 10 and a gutter strap 20. The gutter strap 20 is a common item that is used in the installation of many gutter systems. It usually comprises a simple bar of metal or other rigid material that extends from the back wall of the gutter to the front lip of the gutter, clipping in to the “hem” which comprises the underside of the lip of the gutter. The gutter strap 20 functions to add rigidity and strength to the gutter and to hold the gutter in place. In gutter installations in snowy environs, many more gutter straps 20 are often employed than in locations without snow.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gutter debris deflection device 100 highlighting various components of the device and a gutter 10.

The rain gutter 10 is illustrated as having those components that are common in many gutter installations. Starting from the back of the rain gutter 10, a first component of the gutter is a wing 11. The wing, when present, is placed underneath the outer roofing materials (often, shingles) and helps to keep the gutter in place during installation. Extending down from the wing 11 is the back wall 12 of the gutter. The back wall 12 of the gutter usually rests against, or in proximity to, the fascia board of the roof edge (not shown in the illustrations). At the bottom of the back wall 12 is the bottom or pan 13 of the gutter. This part of the gutter contains the rain water run off that is collected in the gutter and directs it to one or more downspouts or other water dispersal devices. The front wall 14 of the gutter is shown in a common angled form, other gutters are more square/upright. The front face 15 is shown transitioning in a right angle into the lip 16. In most cases, the transition is often more rounded. The lip 16 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as having an open end, which is a hem 17, such that the front support 23 of the gutter strap 20 is inserted up into the open hem 17.

The main support 22 of the gutter strap 20 provides strength and rigidity to the gutter installation. It also can provide such to the gutter debris deflection device as both the gutter strap leg 110 and the valley trough 150 can rest on and be supported by the main support 22. Note the attachment flange 21 of the gutter strap 20. During installation, a screw or other attachment means can attach the attachment flange 21 of the gutter strap 20 to the back wall 12 of the gutter. In some installations, such an attachment means can also penetrate through the back wall 12 and into the fascia board of the roof edge to further strengthen and support the gutter 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, note that the gutter strap leg 110 of the device is shown angling slightly forwards from bottom to top. This provides a number of benefits including leaving room for a screw head (or other attachment means) for attaching the attachment flange 21 to the gutter back wall 12, and providing some spring tension and rigidity if the entire gutter debris deflection device 100 is pressed back towards the gutter back wall 12 before being secured to the front of the gutter. The primary function of the gutter strap leg 110 is to provide support for a back portion of the gutter debris deflection device 100 and to ensure it is properly positioned relative to the gutter 10 and the roofing materials (not shown in FIG. 2, see item 90 in FIG. 4).

A bottom portion of the gutter strap leg 110 can comprise a gutter strap foot 105 (not labeled in FIG. 2, see FIGS. 3 and 4) which can rest on any gutter straps 20 installed on a rain gutter 10. If there are no gutter straps 20 in a particular installation (or if the gutter straps 20 are spaced widely and more rigidity is needed), the gutter strap leg 110 can be attached to the back wall 12 of the rain gutter 10 by screws or other attachment means. Said attachment means may penetrate through the back wall 12 and into the fascia board of the roof edge.

The gutter strap leg 110 extends upwards and preferably angles slightly forwards towards the front of the gutter 10, although in other embodiments, the leg 110 can be vertical or even angled backwards away from the front of the gutter 10. Regardless, the gutter strap leg 110 bends over in proximity to the top of the gutter 10 and transitions into a second component of the gutter debris deflection device 100 that extends generally horizontally towards the front of the gutter 10 and is called a roofing extension raceway 120. In some embodiments, the gutter strap leg 110 comprises a plurality of drain ports 180 that allow water to flow through the gutter strap leg 110 and into the gutter 10 itself. The plurality of drain ports 180 are small enough that most debris can't fit into them and so said debris is directed further along towards a front portion of the gutter debris deflection device 10. In other embodiments, the gutter strap leg 110 does not have a plurality of drain ports.

Note that in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, all of the components of the gutter debris deflection device 100 illustrated contain a plurality of drain ports 180. In other embodiments, one or more of the components may not contain drain ports 180. Additionally, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the drain ports 180 are shown as being in long matching rows and short columns, in other embodiments, each subsequent row might be offset left or right from the previous row such that there are no straight vertical columns of drain ports 180.

The roofing extension raceway 120 accommodates any roofing material that extends into/over the rain gutter because the roofing extension raceway 120 is below an upper surface of said roofing material such that any rain water that runs-off the roofing material falls onto the roofing extension raceway 120 (see relative positions of the roof material 90 and roofing extension raceway 120 as shown in FIG. 4). Rain water flowing down the roof materials and carrying debris will transition onto the roofing extension raceway 120 and, depending on the flow rate and debris load, will carry the debris rapidly across the roofing extension raceway 120. If the rain water is slow moving and of minimal volume, it likely will carry minimal debris and will quickly drain through a plurality of drain ports 180 in the roofing extension raceway 120. Said water till then enter the gutter 10 itself. In another embodiment, the roofing extension raceway 120 contains no drain ports.

At the end of the roofing extension raceway 120 is a somewhat abrupt transition upwards into a ridge flare 130. The ridge flare 130 deflects rapidly moving debris upwards and outwards, causing said debris to shoot out and over the remainder of the gutter 10. The rain water that is carrying the debris flows into a plurality of drain ports 180 in the ridge flare 130 and is thereby directed downwards into the gutter 10 for collection. The ridge flare 130 thus functions to separate the rain water from the debris and then directs both to their appropriate destinations. The ridge flare 130 has an uphill portion 132 (not labeled in FIG. 2, see FIG. 3) beginning at the end of the roofing extension raceway 120 that extends upwards and outwards to an upper limit of the ridge flare 130, where the ridge flare 130 then transitions into a downhill portion 134 (not labeled in FIG. 2, see FIG. 3) that extends downwards and forwards. At a terminus of the downhill portion 134, a midway extension 140 extends generally horizontally outwards towards the edge of the gutter 10.

In another embodiment, the downhill portion 134 extends only downwards and not outwards. Other embodiments may have angles and/or pitches that vary from those shown in the FIGs. for the various components.

The midway es tension 140 can be narrow or wide to accommodate gutters of various widths. In one embodiment, the midway extension 140 has a plurality of drain ports 180, in other embodiments, the midway extension 140 has no drain ports.

At the end of the midway extension 140 is an abrupt transition downwards into a valley trough 150. The valley trough 150 arrests any remaining fast moving water that might hydroplane over any drain ports in the midway extension 120, and once so arrested, said water drains through a plurality of drain ports in the valley trough 150 itself and is thereby directed downwards into the gutter 10 for collection. The valley trough 150 has a trough downhill portion 152 beginning at the end of the midway extension 140 that extends downwards to a lower limit of the valley trough 150, where it then transitions into an trough uphill portion 154 that extends upwards. At a terminus of the trough uphill portion 154, a grip edge 160 extends generally horizontally outwards towards the edge of the gutter 10.

The grip edge 160 can be formed from a single layer of material, or it can be folded over so it comprises a double layer. This second embodiment has the additional benefit of providing enhanced rigidity, a clean edge, and a strengthened structure for attaching the grip edge to the lip of the gutter 10. Such attachment can be accomplished utilizing any attachment means; for example, screws.

The grip edge 160 can be narrow or wide to accommodate gutters of various widths. However, the grip edge 160 should terminate a bit back from the edge of the gutter itself to maintain the appearance of a clean edge from below. In one embodiment, the grip edge 160 has a plurality of drain ports, in other embodiments, the grip edge has no drain ports. The most forward end of the drip edge comprises the face 170.

Together, the components of an enhanced gutter debris deflection device 100 provide a plethora of enhanced functionalities over the prior art. Significantly, the gutter debris deflection device 100 better separates debris from rain water and directs the former out and away from the gutter while simultaneously directing more of the latter down and into the gutter 10. Since debris is disposed of before it can even begin to collect, the gutter debris deflection device 100 minimizes the need for manual gutter cleanings, decreases gutter blockages, increases flow efficiency, and minimizes potential damage otherwise caused by blockages, over-flowing gutters, and other problems/issues inherent in the less-functional prior art.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a gutter debris deflection device 100. In this embodiment, only a single ridge flare 130 and a single valley trough 150 are shown; other embodiments may utilize two or more ridge flares and/or two or more valley troughs.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a gutter debris deflection device 100 installed in a gutter 10 and with a slate roof material 90. This embodiment utilizes an extended gutter strap foot 105 and gutter strap leg 110. Note however, that the roofing extension raceway 120 lies below the level of the top surface of the roofing material 90 such that rain that runs off of the roofing material 90 would fall onto the roofing extension raceway 120.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the gutter debris deflection device 100 is angled slightly downwards from back to front. In other embodiments this “installation angle” can vary from those shown in the FIGs. without departing from the scope of the invention.

Note that a front attachment means 190 is illustrated in FIG. 4. This front attachment means 190 comprises a screw in the embodiment in FIG. 4; other embodiments may utilize other means. The front attachment means 190 extends through the grip edge 160, through the lip 16 of the gutter 10, and into a hem support 24 on the gutter strap 20.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and disclosed in the present application, it should be understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit this invention in any way except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above “Detailed Description” section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the Inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the Inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the Inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.

The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gutter debris deflection device for installation on a rain gutter the rain gutter having at least a gutter strap, a back wall and a front lip, the gutter debris deflection device having an upper surface and a lower surface and comprising: a gutter strap leg extending generally upwards from a gutter strap leg proximal edge to a gutter strap leg distal edge and wherein the gutter strap leg proximal edge rests on the gutter strap in proximity to the back wall of the rain gutter, and wherein the gutter strap leg extends generally upwards from the gutter strap leg proximal edge and then bends over into a generally horizontal configuration before terminating along the gutter strap leg distal edge; a roofing extension raceway having a roofing extension raceway proximal edge and a roofing extension raceway distal edge; attached to the gutter strap leg distal edge is the roofing extension raceway proximal edge, the roofing extension raceway extending generally horizontally from the roofing extension raceway proximal edge to the roofing extension raceway distal edge; a ridge flare having a ridge flare proximal edge and a ridge flare distal edge; attached to the roofing extension raceway distal edge is the ridge flare proximal edge and wherein the ridge flare has a ridge flare uphill portion which extends generally upwards from the ridge flare proximal edge to a ridge flare upper limit; attached to the ridge flare upper limit is a ridge flare downhill portion which extends downwards from the ridge flare upper limit and terminates at the ridge flare distal edge; wherein the uphill portion of the ridge flare deflects debris carried by runoff rainwater moving across the upper surface of the gutter debris deflection device; a midway extension having a midway extension proximal edge and a midway extension distal edge; attached to the ridge flare distal edge is a midway extension proximal edge and wherein the midway extension extends generally horizontally from the midway extension proximal edge to the midway extension distal edge; a valley trough having a valley trough proximal edge and a valley trough distal edge; attached to the midway extension distal edge is the valley trough proximal edge and wherein the valley trough has a valley trough downhill portion which extends generally downwards from the valley trough proximal edge to a valley trough lower limit; attached to the valley trough lower limit is a valley trough uphill portion which extends upwards from the valley trough lower limit and terminates at the valley trough distal edge; wherein the valley trough arrests any remaining runoff rainwater moving across the upper surface of the gutter debris deflection device; a plurality of drain ports in the gutter debris deflection device extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the plurality of drain ports directing any water moving across the upper surface of the gutter debris deflection device downwards through the plurality of drain ports and into the gutter; the plurality of drain ports located in at least the ridge flare upper portion and the valley trough; a grip edge having a grip edge proximal edge and a grip edge distal edge; attached to the valley trough distal edge is the grip edge proximal edge; wherein the grip edge extends generally horizontally from the grip edge proximal edge to the grip edge distal edge; and wherein the grip edge is attached to the front lip of the rain gutter.
 2. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 1, wherein the gutter strap leg angles forwards as the gutter strap leg extends from the gutter strap leg proximal edge to the gutter strap leg distal edge.
 3. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the roofing extension raceway.
 4. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 2 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the roofing extension raceway.
 5. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the midway extension.
 6. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 2 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the midway extension.
 7. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 3 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the midway extension.
 8. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 4 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the midway extension.
 9. A gutter debris deflection device for installation on a rain gutter, the rain gutter having at least a back wall and a front lip, the gutter debris deflection device having an upper surface and a lower surface and comprising: a gutter strap leg extending generally upwards from a gutter strap leg proximal edge to a gutter strap leg distal edge and wherein the gutter strap leg attaches to the back wall of the rain gutter, and wherein the gutter strap leg extends generally upwards from the gutter strap leg proximal edge and then bends over into a generally horizontal configuration before terminating at the gutter strap leg distal edge; a roofing extension raceway having a roofing extension raceway proximal edge and a roofing extension raceway distal edge; attached to the gutter strap leg distal edge is the roofing extension raceway proximal edge, the roofing extension raceway extending generally horizontally from the roofing extension raceway proximal edge to the roofing extension raceway distal edge; a ridge flare having a ridge flare proximal edge and a ridge flare distal edge; attached to the roofing extension raceway distal edge is the ridge flare proximal edge and wherein the ridge flare has a ridge flare uphill portion which extends generally upwards from the ridge flare proximal edge to a ridge flare upper limit; attached to the ridge flare upper limit is a ridge flare downhill portion which extends downwards from the ridge flare upper limit and terminates at the ridge flare distal edge; wherein the uphill portion of the ridge flare deflects debris carried by runoff rainwater moving across the upper surface of the gutter debris deflection device; a midway extension having a midway extension proximal edge and a midway extension distal edge; attached to the ridge flare distal edge is a midway extension proximal edge and wherein the midway extension extends generally horizontally from the midway extension proximal edge to the midway extension distal edge; a valley trough having a valley trough proximal edge and a valley trough distal edge; attached to the midway extension distal edge is the valley trough proximal edge and wherein the valley trough has a valley trough downhill portion which extends generally downwards from the valley trough proximal edge to a valley trough lower limit; attached to the valley trough lower limit is a valley trough uphill portion which extends upwards from the valley trough lower limit and terminates at the valley trough distal edge; wherein the valley trough arrests any remaining runoff rainwater moving across the upper surface of the gutter debris deflection device; a plurality of drain ports in the gutter debris deflection device extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the plurality of drain ports directing any water moving across the upper surface of the gutter debris deflection device downwards through the plurality of drain ports and into the gutter; the plurality of drain ports located in at least the ridge flare upper portion and the valley trough; a grip edge having a grip edge proximal edge and a grip edge distal edge; attached to the valley trough distal edge is the grip edge proximal edge; wherein the grip edge extends generally horizontally from the grip edge proximal edge to the grip edge distal edge; and wherein the grip edge is attached to the front lip of the rain gutter.
 10. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 9, wherein the gutter strap leg angles forwards as the gutter strap leg extends from the gutter strap leg proximal edge to the gutter strap leg distal edge.
 11. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 9 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the roofing extension raceway.
 12. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 10 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the roofing extension raceway.
 13. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 9 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the midway extension.
 14. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 10 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the midway extension.
 15. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 11 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the midway extension.
 16. The gutter debris deflection device of claim 12 wherein the plurality of drain ports are additionally located in the midway extension. 